Simple Ways to Support Kids with Food Allergies This Halloween with the Teal Pumpkin Project

As a pediatric food allergist and mother of children with food allergies, I know that Halloween can be both exciting and stressful for families managing food allergies. While most kids can dive into bags of candy and treats without worry, for children with allergies, treats can feel threatening. That’s why I support the Teal Pumpkin Project, a movement started by FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) to make Halloween safer, more inclusive, and just as magical for every child in our communities.

Understanding food allergies and how they affect our little communities

Nowadays, chances are that you know a child with food allergies. They may be a neighbor, a relative, a classmate, or even your own child.

In my role as a pediatric food allergist, I diagnose a new life-threatening food allergy in a child at least once a week. Food allergies affect around 1 in 13 children in the U.S.—that’s at least one, if not two kids per kindergarten class, and around 30 kids in an average-sized elementary school.

These are the children of your community, and many of them will ring your doorbell saying “Trick or Treat” this Halloween. Armed with their Teal Pumpkin, you can more easily identify children who should be offered non-food treats!

Being food allergy aware is imperative—it promotes inclusion and helps protect children at risk on this holiday. Thank you, as we all work together to protect these children.

What the teal pumpkin project means for kids with food allergies

You may have spotted a teal pumpkin on a neighbor’s porch in past Octobers and wondered what it means. This bright blue-green pumpkin is a signal that a home is offering non-food treats for trick-or-treaters.

Think stickers, glow sticks, bubbles, or small toys—fun non-food surprises that are safe for every child. For kids with food allergies, this simple signal helps make the night more fun and carefree.

Why Halloween can feel tricky for kids with food allergies

Having a food allergy impacts children and their families in a variety of ways. As a mother of children with food allergies, I understand the burden of having to check (and double check) every single thing my children eat.

You can imagine how stressful a family party may be, or a birthday party, where a child may be offered something by another adult or child that contains their food allergen. Now consider sending them to school, where they eat in a lunchroom independently.

Now consider a night where your child goes door to door and collects food—many of which contain food allergens—and most of these treats are unlabeled. In many cases, children will go to “candy swaps,” where they trade candy with their friends and share these foods. This tradition is filled with risk and worry for food allergy families.

Halloween candy often contains common allergens like peanuts, tree nuts, milk, and soy. Other common allergens can also be present, including wheat, egg, and sesame. A single bite or even trace amounts can lead to serious reactions, which can be life-threatening.

The Teal Pumpkin Project allows families to enjoy trick-or-treating without the constant fear of exposure. It sends the message of inclusion: There is something here for you too.

And what’s more in the spirit of Halloween than making sure all kids can join in the adventure?

Common Halloween candies that may contain food allergens

For our allergic trick-or-treaters, here are some high-risk Halloween candies to watch out for:

• Candy corn: egg, sesame
  

• Mini candies: ingredients not labeled on individual candy packages
  

• Licorice: wheat
  

• Play dough: wheat
  

• Dark chocolate: milk
  

• “Allergen-free candy”: always read the label before giving to your child, in case they are allergic to a food not included in the “Top 9” allergens
  
  

Your child may have candy that is labeled and clearly does not contain their food allergen(s) and is not at risk for cross-contamination.

How all parents can support food allergy awareness this Halloween

Easy ways to show your support with the teal pumpkin project

Getting involved is easy:

• Paint or buy a teal pumpkin to display on your porch.
  

• Stock up on non-food goodies. CVS has partnered with FARE to provide Teal Pumpkin approved treats, but you can also find treats online or in other stores.
  
  

My favorite handouts are spooky glow rings, glow sticks, and Halloween pencils. These treats last much longer than candy for kids—and even non-food allergic kids love them!

Allergy-friendly, non-food treat ideas that kids actually love

• Glow sticks, bracelets, or necklaces
  

• Pencils, pens, crayons, or markers
  

• Bubbles
  

• Halloween erasers or pencil toppers
  

• Mini Slinkies
  

• Whistles, kazoos, or noisemakers

• Bouncy balls
  

• Spider rings
  

• Vampire fangs
  

• Mini notepads
  

• Playing cards
  

• Bookmarks
  

• Stickers
  

• Stencils
  
  

Spreading food allergy awareness in your neighborhood

Let neighbors know why you’re supporting the Teal Pumpkin Project and encourage them to join. You can even add your address to the new Teal Pumpkin Project Map, so families can plan their routes.

Pro tip: Keep your non-food treats in a separate bowl (or a teal pumpkin if you have one). That way, every trick-or-treater can easily pick something safe and fun!

Creating a safe and inclusive Halloween for every child

Halloween is about community, imagination, and a little bit of spooky fun. By joining the Teal Pumpkin Project, you’re not only keeping kids safe—you’re also showing them that their health and happiness matter.

I feel the relief and inclusivity at every door that has a Teal Pumpkin when I’m out with my son and daughter. This project safely includes our family during a celebration that is food-centered.

So this year, let’s make Halloween a night where it’s not the food that’s scary—and every child gets to feel the magic of this fun holiday!

A special thanks to FARE for putting together such a wonderful program!

For food allergy families, check out FARE’s Allergy Safe Tips for Trick-or-Treating for helpful reminders for Halloween.

Written by Dr. Taylor Lin

Pediatric Allergist & Advisor at Bébé Foodie

Meet Dr. Taylor Lin, our go-to expert on allergies and immunology! Dr. Lin serves families in southeast Michigan as an allergy and immunology physician with Allergy & Immunology Associates. With top-notch training from the University of Michigan and a specialty fellowship in pediatric food allergy, she’s not just highly qualified—she’s also a mom to a child with food allergies herself! Dr. Lin directs her clinic's food oral immunotherapy program and brings evidence-based, accessible advice to families through her role with Bébé Foodie.

 

This blog post is for information purposes only and shouldn’t be used as personal, health, nutritional, or medical advice. Always consult with your pediatrician before making any decisions about your child's health or readiness for various foods.